Great news. I have been ripped off too many times by these pricks. They even charged me an extra fee for buying online.

Good business opportunity too for anyone with the resources.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/ticketek-fined-25m-for-abusing-market-power/story-e6frg8zx-1226228881134

MUSIC and sports fans will have greater access to cheap last-minute tickets after the Federal Court yesterday fined Ticketek, the nation's biggest ticketing provider, $2.5 million for abusing its market power.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission prosecuted Ticketek for breaching consumer laws by preventing the sale of cheaper tickets through a rival company, Lasttix, on four occasions during 2009 and 2010.

The court found that Ticketek had blocked the sale of discounted tickets to shows by celebrities including Dr Phil and Liza Minnelli as well as a Warriors of Brazil production.

The event organisers had asked Ticketek, the contracted ticket vendor, to "facilitate" sales of cheaper tickets promoted by Lasttix, a company set up to offer "last-minute" tickets.

In her judgment yesterday, judge Annabelle Bennett imposed the $2.5m fine and ordered that Ticketek pay $100,000 towards the ACCC's legal costs.

She said Ticketek had taken advantage of its "substantial degree of power" in the ticketing market to deter or prevent Lasttix from "engaging in competitive conduct".

ACCC chairman Rod Sims yesterday said the ruling meant that event organisers would now have "more choices" in promoting their shows.

"Consumers will also benefit from discount ticket deals becoming increasingly accessible in a variety of places, not just through ticketing agents," he said.

"This action serves as a reminder to all businesses that illegal anti-competitive behaviour of any type will not be tolerated."

A statement of "agreed facts" between the ACCC and Ticketek, filed in the Federal Court in Sydney, says the promoter of a ballet production known as The Trocks asked Ticketek, its official agent, to introduce a discounted ticket that would be promoted by rival Lasttix in October 2009.

But Ticketek's account manager responded that "unfortunately we do not facilitate offers from Lasttix.com as they are considered by Ticketek as a competitor".